Beware the Eastern Sun

Beware the Eastern Sun

Chapter 20

"There are only two emotions: love and fear."

-known fact of social psychology

Swish, slosh, swish, slosh,

Following the sounds of the riv-er;

Swish, slosh, swish, slosh,

Keeping to the path of the wat-er.

The dark jungle hung around them, the wild screams of animals echoing off the trees. A moistness hung in the air, clinging to clothes and skin alike. Simians swung from tree to tree, accompanied by the flitting of wild birds. A screech. Mosquitoes hung in thick swarms, making pass after pass at the walking sojourners. A constant rustling sounded, though whether they were from the visitors or the occupants of the jungle is unknown.

Following the sounds of the riv-er...

The water flowed along sluggishly in this area, taking upon a deep green color. The trees grew past the bank into the water, their dripping boughs drooping far out over the near shores. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the overhang, but it only became tangled amongst the branches, leaving all but a trickle for the jungle floor. Sounds came from the water, whose currents were made mostly by passing animals. The high pitched chirping of the forest birds and insects droned and mixed in with the flowing water to form a harmonious, primordial song.

Keeping to the path of the wat-er...

The jungle floor was covered with leaves and moss, which sprung beneath the feet of the interlopers. The trees, too, were covered with moss, as were any rocks that could find a spot to rest on the earth. In the darkness, the insects grew large, wild and exotic flowers thrived, and the strangest forms of life coexisted with those of our everyday world. Many broad-leafed plants and bushes hid in the shade of the trees, struggling to soak in the scant sunlight, but too timid to show themselves.

Swish, slosh, swish, slosh...

Normal climates and environments, perhaps do not apply in the digital world. Or perhaps we merely do not understand them. Where there should have been a savanna, as the jungle cleared, there was a brief green field and the land transitioned into forest.

Silent step, silent feet,

Forward one by one;

Silent eyes, silent ears,

Soon and we will come.

The forest offered more leeway, breadth-wise. Instead of single file, they were able to manage a comfortable two by two. The path was also more deliberate. There was actually evidence that it had been created, unlike the natural winding path that they followed in the jungle. As they marched, they could see the horizon growing darker. Where it once had been a light cerulean, it now became clouded and gray, even during the day. The air had begun to change to an oppressive calm, though, the children of nature becoming more and more reticent.

Soon...

Mimi opened her eyes to a loud banging sound. She was sitting on the throne, next to Matt. Despite the shade, the heat from the afternoon still managed to leak through. Wiping some sweat from her face, she let her eyes adjust and took careful observation of the room.

Matt was standing at the foot of the dais, talking to two digimon who were bowing before him. Occasionally, harsh accents of anger would float to her ears. The guards shifted restlessly, practically leaning against the walls of the Great Hall in their laziness. A small flock of courtiers, those lucky enough to gain entrance, lingered at the far end of the hall. Light streaked in from high up windows, falling onto the floor at regular intervals.

Mimi felt her wrists where the skin had turned slightly red. So he decided to let me off of chains, she thought. She stretched just as Matt ascended the steps and took his seat. He had finished his business. "Good afternoon, my dear."

Mimi did not respond. She was still unsure whether she wanted to resist him defiantly or to let herself be swooned by him. The tiredness clouded her judgement, so she just let out a yawn in response. Matt smiled, placing his hand on hers. She felt it, but did not resist. Perhaps I've been too harsh, Mimi thought idly.

Matt rose and faced Mimi. "Mimi, dear queen, I have something to show you." He reached out his hand to her. Mimi felt her curiosity nibbling at her. She took his hand, whose powerful grip pulled her easily out of her seat. Once she had risen, he offered her his elbow. Nervously, Mimi took it and let him escort her out of the hall. Her thoughts were jumbled and confused.

Still, Matt was gentle as he led her down stone paths and grassy courtyards. A pair of guards trailed a respectable distance away. They passed through a Japanese style garden complete with pond, waterfall, and cherry trees. There was even a small rock garden off to one side. Some overripe fruits still managed to cling to the branches while others lay scattered about the grass. The sunlight filtered in just right, casting pleasant shadows across the grass. They walked along the covered pathway which enclosed the pavilion on four sides.

Matt breathed in deeply as he walked slowly. "Isn't it beautiful?" He looked at Mimi for a response. She remained silent with ambivalence. Matt let his eyes wander again. "I think it is. Sometimes I come here to get away from the world. There's just too much confusion, you know. Everyone needs their escape. This is mine. I tend these tress and these plants when I can." He reached over to finger the greenery of a squat bansai tree.

"Come," he invited, stepping off of the walkway and onto the grass. Mimi finally decide to let all her thoughts of the past go, living only for this moment. It was too peaceful. It was almost as if here, in this refuge, there was no good or evil, right or wrong; there was just innocence. Here in this Garden of Eden, everything was in harmony. She stepped off of the walkway and took his hand, smiling.

Matt led her to a stone bench that stood on the bank of the small pond. He sat on one end as Mimi took the other. It was like younger times. Matt began fidgeting, like a young child once again. He occasionally glanced at Mimi, but when their eyes met, they would both turn away suddenly. Finally, Matt reached out a hand towards her, which she took tentatively. They sat in peace, watching the fish and the waterfall, for a long while.

Time seemed to freeze. There they were, him and her. Here she could finally see the good in him rise to the surface. Here she was able to break through the layers of ice that he had built over the years. This garden was the window into his soul. This was the place of his childhood, which he had hidden away so quietly. Here was his innocence; here was his comfort and solace; here was his inner peace.

They would have perhaps sat there forever if they had not been interrupted. It was a cough from afar. Matt turned around, breaking their harmony and silent communication. He looked back at her, the regret clear in his eyes. "Mimi, you stay as long as you like. When you wish, the guards will take you back to your room, or anywhere you should wish to go. Just say the word. They are at your disposal." He glanced at the large red doors which served as the entrance to the garden. "I have business to attend to. I will see thee anon." He leaned forward to kiss her, but stopped just short. He bit his lip and glanced nervously at her before he withdrew and walked quickly towards the doors. When he was there, he spared her one last glance of longing before he parted.

The sound of soft footsteps woke her. Mimi gasped as a hand was placed on her shoulder. She turned around, expecting to see Matt, but her mouth hung open in shock when she saw T.K. Once the young boy, he seemed much older and mature. His face was worn by time, carrying a tiredness with it which he tried to mask with a smile. His build was more muscular, and Mimi had to admit that he looked quite impressive with his sword and armor, carrying his helm under his arm.

"Mimi," he said, almost stoically.

"T.K.!" Mimi exclaimed. She rose and stood him face to face. He was almost her height, but still came short a few inches. She could still see hints of the youth she knew years ago as she examined him closely. The large eyes, the look of innocence, the want to prove himself. "T.K., it's been far too long." She reached out with both hands, which T.K. grasped, letting his helm drop to the ground.

"Are you all right?" T.K. asked, a look of genuine concern passing over his face. "Has he done anything to you?"

"No," Mimi started. "Well, not quite. He did, but I'm all right. He was just being reckless."

"But nothing now?"

"No, no. In fact, he was so sweet to me. Oh, T.K.! It was like old times again!"

T.K. bit his lip, which made Mimi think of Matt. He was beginning to look more and more like him when she last saw him. Now he seemed the smaller image of him, only his hair was much neater. "I just want to make sure you're all right," he said.

"I'm fine."

"Good, good."

They looked at each other in silence. Words could not express how they felt. How can anyone bridge the gap of years in such a simple way as speech? No, they could not. But still, they understood each other. In their silence, they spoke more words than they ever could have if they talked. They were communicating on a higher level.

T.K. turned away, looking up at the sunlight which was beginning to redden. He took her hand silently and led her on a tour of the garden. "You know," he said distantly, "sometimes I think that there's no hope." Mimi looked him in the eyes. "I just feel like giving up. But then there's something in me that tells me to go on. That says that all is not lost. And then I try and try again."

They walked a few steps without saying much. "You know," T.K. began again, "Matt has been like a father to me. He tries so hard to teach me right and wrong, to make sure that I turn out all right. I just wish he could see right and wrong himself in what he does."

"I think he does," Mimi replied. "He's just afraid. I can feel it. All emotions stem from love or fear, and Matt is lost in his fear." Mimi did not think about what she was saying; she merely spoke as the words came to her. "He has seen the confusion and chaos in the world, and is afraid of it. He fears the unknown and is trying to make things familiar and orderly. Most of all, I think he fears himself. What he is. What he could be. What he is becoming. Yes. His own fear of what he is becoming is frustrating him, in fact feeding his actions."

T.K. nodded, staring forward in thought. "He see in himself the ways the he has failed and is trying to make me into his dream." Mimi sounded her agreement. "I see him torture himself sometimes," T.K. continued, "like he is too afraid to admit his methods are wrong. But he is also afraid to show fear."

They spent another few steps in silence. T.K. knelt by the side of the pond as they passed it and trailed a hand in the water. Ripples spread as the fish scattered. Shaking off his hand, T.K. rose and they continued their walk.

"Do you...," Mimi began. She hesitated. 'Do you think he loves me?" She did not know why she asked him.

T.K. looked at her. "Do you love him?" he asked her.

Mimi responded readily, "Yes."

"Then that is enough."

"Tai?"

Tai maintained his face, looking forward and ignoring Sora's voice.

"Tai!"

Tai turned towards her, as if she was addressing him for the first time.

"Tai, don't you think we should rest?"
"Of course not!" Tai responded quickly. "We've still got miles ahead of us!"

"Tai, I think we need a break."

Tai looked at the rest of the group. Izzy was leaning on his knees, gasping for breath. Joe was using his inhaler. Agumon lay plopped on the ground and was staring at the sky, his stomach heaving. Gomamon was leaning against a tree, already asleep. Biyomon and Tentamon leaned against each other's backs, taking deep breaths.

Tai sighed and gave in. "I guess. Let's look for a campsite."

Tired and worn, they found a nearby glade where the ground was relatively flat and began setting up. By evening, they had a warm fire going and a dinner of fish and wild fruits. They huddled around the fire as the cold of night closed in. Sora placed her plate down and rose, yawning. "I'll be by the river. My feet need a soaking." The others were too tired to respond.

She walked the short distance to the river, feeling the nature around her. It always was nice being alone with nature. The air was always so crisp, and you could smell the growth and the life in the air. There was always activity, seen and unseen, of the critters of the forest, and the feeling of spiritual harmony was revitalizing. The sound of running water grew louder as she approached the bank.

Sora looked upstream and downstream for a suitable area to relax. Downstream to her right, there was a convenient area where part of the river bulged out into the shore. The water was shallower there-roughly four and half feet deep-and was calm. She eagerly made her way there, her feet throbbing the whole time. When she got there, she gratefully plopped down, stripped off her shoes and socks, and dipped her feet into the ice cold water.

Letting out a sigh of relief, she closed her eyes and leaned back on a tree trunk. She must have sat there blissfully for a full five minutes. She then opened her eyes, took a breath, and released it. A thought crossed her mind. Looking around to see that no one was there, she took off her clothes, hung them on the tree, and dipped into the water.

The cold water woke her and threatened to suck the life out of her. She welcomed the feeling, letting the shock awaken her senses. When she resurfaced, she brushed aside her hair and smiled with delight. It had been many days since she'd been able to take a bath, and it felt good to get all the sweat and dirt off of her body. After rigorously attending to her hygiene for ten minutes, she waded casually around the pool, occasionally diving down for long periods of time. At least for now she could relax.

Tai walked silently to the river. His thoughts were adrift, thinking of the near future. The conflict to come would be arduous indeed, but how would it end? Would he win? And if he did, would that mean the death of Matt? No, the prophecy clearly stated that the Light must save the Dark. But how was he to do that?

He stood by the water and looked off into the expansive forest across the bank. Where are the answers? Saving the world at his age? Quite a tough responsibility. But it has been done before, he thought. He sighed, looking at his feet. When he brought up his eyes, something caught his vision. Looking at the tree next to him, he saw something white and crumpled. He looked closer, and his eyes widened. It was a girl's undergarments.

A sudden gasp caught his attention. Tai whipped around and looked at the river where the sound came from. In full moonlight, there was Sora, standing up in the water. She had not overcome the shock yet, and was for that moment vulnerable. Tai held his breath. Before him was exposed the unthinkable, the untouchable. Here was Venus in her crowning glory, only made mortal so that he could have her. Finally, Sora reacted, covering herself and plunging back into the water where it was neck deep.

They spent the few awkward moments looking at each other. Neither spoke. Tai was torn between his sense of decency and his inner animal desires. He felt a stirring within as his body began feeling hotter. Neither one knew what to do.

A rustling in the bushed saved them. Tai turned towards the sound and tensed, expecting to see another invader. But stumbling out of the bushes were two small figures, worn and disheveled with travel. Tai ran forward to catch them as they fell. "Kari!"